Tuesday, June 9, 2009

Seven habits of effective people- Stephen Covey

Paradigms and Principles
Paradigms are model, theory and perception, assumption and frame of reference

The seven habits are principle-centred, character-based, an inside out approach to personal and interpersonal effectiveness.

Maturity Continuum ranges from dependence to independence to interdependence.

Habit One
Proactive rather than reactive
Changes based on imagination, conscience, self-awareness and independent will. Between stimulus and response, there should be the freedom to choose.

Habit two
Begin with the end in mind
Mental creation based on imagination
Begin each day with values firmly in mind- truly proactive and value driven
Use affirmation and visualization to enter into harmony with our basic centre.

Habit three
Put first things first- principle of personal management and use priorities and time management matrix.


Habit four
Think win win
Principle of interpersonal leadership
Abundance mentality
Effective interaction brings mutually beneficial results to everybody involved

Habit five
Seek first to understand, then to be understood
Principle of empathic communication
Build skills of empathic listening based on character that inspires openness and trust

Habit six
Synergy
Principle of creative cooperation
The whole is greater that the sum of its parts
Essence of synergy
Value differences, respect them and build on strengths and compensate for weakness

Habit seven
Sharpen the saw
Principle of balanced self renewal
Four dimensions – physical, mental, spiritual and social and emotional

Seneca on the shortness of life

It is not that we have a short time to live but that we waste a lot of it.
Learning how to live takes a whole life, just as we take a whole life to learn how to die too.Procrastination is the biggest waste of life.
In planning tomorrow, we lost today.
Present is short, future is doubtful and the past is certain. Life is short and anxious for those who forget the past, neglect the present and fear the future. Prosperity does not elevate the sage and adversity does not depress him. In any situation in life, you will find delight, relaxation and pleasures if you are prepared to make light of your troubles and not let them distress you. Make a stand against Fortune and never give ground to her.
In everything, everybody, eyes and hands and all things that make life dear, live as though it were lent to itself, return the loan on demand, without complaint. Make light of all things and endure them with tolerance. It is more civilized to make fun of life than to bewail it. Mingle and vary solitude and joining a crowd.

The freedom years- tactical tips for the trailblazer generation- Michael Shea

Use our freedom years to best advantage
Benefiting both ourselves and those around us

What are our hopes and aspirations for the years ahead?
What are we particularly looking forward to?
What hindrances do we expect to waylay our plans?
What other worries lurk in the undergrowth?

Retirement is an open gate to the future. We have the opportunity of moving into new fields at a pace to suit ourselves and develop new skills and use old ones.

What do want to achieve that we have not achieved so far.
List our options and strategies for doing so. Set out an agenda for change,deciding where and how we are going to erect our new stall. Continue to contribute to the good of ourselves, our families and society, just as we did in the past.
Readjust circumstances to our requirements

Have a positive attitude
Care and not be in denial
Make it our business
Have ambition
Have an open mind
Have control over our lives
Recreate our sense of self-esteem

Continue to act as decision-takers rather than followers of orders
Don’t let those wrinkles invade mind and soul
Do not be too judgemental or mean.
Have a good sense of humour
Try laughing- have a smile, a happy expression
Build new relationships and continue to network by joining clubs and interest groups
Keep healthy with proper food and exercise
Be fit and mentally agile
Communicate effectively with the younger generations
Manage our money and financial advisors
Use freedom years to learn new tricks

Work on projects to give sense of meaning and purpose to life
Keep learning and exploring ways to make life better for self and others

Monday, June 8, 2009

Embracing the fullness of life- In the moment

Celebration of Life’s daily moments
Both the small and large events of life lend value and texture to our lives.
If we don’t put effort into celebrating these moments, they can be lost and the very texture of living goes with them.

We should integrate all elements of our life and connect within outside and ourselves, across the generation preceding us and into the future. The function of celebration is to do all this and in doing so, to help us create our own legacy and legacy of our time.

How can we use our resources to strengthen our connections with others rather than insulate ourselves from the challenge of closeness?
We can overcome inner obstacles and choose to bring that richness into our lives and the lives of those around us, then the celebrated life is without our grasp.

What are the elements of celebrations
Recognise the moment
Name the moment
Share the moment
Open ourselves and bring ourselves forth most fully into a thoughtful and sensory awareness of the moment
Acknowledge mystery and awe
Move backward to the origin and regrind and polish to remove or repair flaws and blind spots.